Not all that long ago (a little more than a year-and-a-half, to be specific), the four Disney Food Trucks were THE newest thing on the dining scene in Downtown Disney. But with all the dining additions to the ever-transforming, will-one-of-these-days-be Disney Springs over the past year, it’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to check out what’s changed at the Trucks!

So our stop today is Namaste Cafe (most often found in Exposition Park on the West Side), the truck inspired by dishes typically served at Animal Kingdom as well as Animal Kingdom Lodge.

It’s time to take another trip around the World, from Downtown Disney to EPCOT… and we’ll be visiting all sorts of Disney Resorts along the way! Strap in, folks, because there’s always something to find when you’re searching for What’s New at Disney World with the DFB!

DOWNTOWN DISNEY

Construction

The name of the game all over Downtown Disney these days continues to be, of course, construction for the transformation into Disney Springs. Here are a few recent shots of what will be The Boathouse restaurant, which seems to be coming along nicely.

The Boathouse construction

The Boathouse construction

The Smokehouse

On the West Side, The Smokehouse has introduced a new item: Smokehouse Nachos!

Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including restaurant closures, Kona Island Sushi/Coffee Bar Closure at the Polynesian Resort, Limited Edition Sketch for Disneyland Annual Passholders, and more!

DFB Reader Finds

If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or from Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!

We’re always amazed by the creations that our readers send in. Let’s take a look at two fabulous homemade cakes. First up, fantastic treats from Facebook Friend Lori. She shared: “Here’s the dessert table from my daughters 2nd birthday party this weekend. It was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme, and I made everything. The whole cake is edible. I made the Mickey rice crispy treats using homemade marshmallow, homemade cake pops from the cake crumbs after carving the cake, and egg free mickey cupcakes for a little boy with egg allergies!”

DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

As we continue our celebration, we have a discount option for DFB readers. You can get the new mini-guide for $3 off the regular price for a limited time — just use code MENUS at the check-out!

The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book

The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book features all the info you need to know before you attend the Food and Wine Festival this year, from what’s NEW this year to touring strategies — and a new section with top tips on how to use MyMagic+ at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

And with the Epcot Food & Wine festival rapidly approaching, the time is now! Booking for festival events opened July 31st, and our exclusive daily schedule of events is the most efficient way to plan your festival strategy.(Did you purchase a pre-order of the DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival and not receive your book? Let us know at Support@DFBGuide.com!)

With a detailed schedule of seminars and events for every single day of the festival, it’s a quick, easy way to decide what activities and events you want to book! Don’t waste time flipping between web pages, PDFs, and websites — just find the date you need and we’ve got it all right there in front of you. Just like that!

Find Everything That’s Going On During Your Visit in our FULL Daily Schedule of Events!

As always, we’ve made this guide instantly downloadable for your convenience, and easily installed on your mobile devices. It’s a PDF guide with [Read more…]

The dishes at Namaste Café were chosen to reflect some of the best cuisine to be found in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge, and I remember thinking, “Cool… now, if only we could get a little of Sanaa’s fabulous bread service, we’d be set.”

But I didn’t really think it would happen. I just didn’t think the setting was conducive to it.

Well, apparently I was wrong, because IT HAS ARRIVED… kind of! Introducing, the Namaste Café Samosas and Naan Dipping Safari!!

Namaste Cafe Menu

Samosas and Naan Dipping Safari on Menu

Now, we’re talkin’!!!

Before we “dip in,” I should let you know where I found Namaste Café, because the Food Trucks are still moving all around Downtown Disney as they await their ultimate destination in the upcoming Food Truck Park. On this most recent visit, I found it right outside of the World of Disney Store in the Marketplace.

We’ve got a full review of that $18 lobster roll for ya, so scroll down to see that! In the meantime, let’s take a peek at this sleek truck!

Atmosphere

Each Food Truck reflects the theme of a different Disney World Park (thus far Superstar Catering for Hollywood Studios, Namaste Café for Animal Kingdom, and Fantasy Fare for Magic Kingdom). World Showcase of Flavors represents Epcot — more specifically, the beloved Epcot Food & Wine Festival that comes to Epcot every Fall.

Banner on the back of the World Showcase of Flavors Food Truck

The adventure of travel and exploring other cultures for which World Showcase is known is captured in the design of the truck. I think the way it brings to mind an old-fashioned travel trunk covered with vintage-style “badges” collected along the way is pretty cool!

Vintage "stickers"

More vintage "stickers"

My favorite touch is the row of suitcases on top of the pickup window.

Pickup Window

By the way, my next pictures appear in a different setting – that’s because the trucks move :)! I snapped a few close-ups at its location by Cirque de Soleil pre-opening hours, but went back to eat when it was parked at the grassy area by Bongos Cuban Café.

Food Truck location by Bongos Cuban Cafe

Food Truck location by Bongos Cuban Cafe

Eats

The menu brings “The Best of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival” to guests year-round.

This latest one brings “culinary traditions from Disney Parks around the globe to Disney World”, and lucky for us that means that the famous Disneyland hand-dipped corn dogs have now come to Disney World…in name at least!

It was OUR job to try them and see how they compare. Will the Disney World version have that sweet, crumbly-but-moist cornbread coating? With the dogs be flavorful and juice? Will the same Disneyland atmosphere and feeling be replicated in Disney World’s Downtown Disney?

It’s time to find out!

Fantasy Fare Food Truck (pre-opening)

But first — the truck! Let’s take a look… .

Delightful Dishes from Disney's Magic Kingdoms Around the World!

Fantasy Fare Food Truck in action

Atmosphere

Similar to its predecessors, the truck itself is has a pretty terrific design.

Front of Fantasy Fare Food Truck

Back of Fantasy Fare Food Truck

I’d pictured something along the lines of a Castle theme (since Disney Parks world over each have their own iconic Castle); however, they’ve gone with a circus-theme, bringing to mind the Storybook Circus area in the Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland.

The bright, cheerful red stands out immediately and is slightly — VERY slightly — reminiscent of the Little Red Wagon in Disneyland, no? Check out the hidden mickeys!

Fantasy Fare Food Truck

Fantasy Fare Food Truck Logo

Fantasy Fare Food Truck serving window

Eats

The menu features “Delightful Dishes from Disney’s Magic Kingdoms Around the World!” [Read more…]

The “DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2013″!

And since we want you to save some cash right NOW, we have a steep discount for DFB readers (as always!). Get the brand new guide today for $3 off the regular purchase price for a limited time! How? Use code JINGLE at the check-out!